Coin-controlled machine



Much 2, 1.943'.

Filed oct. 1940 H. S. BENJAMIN COIN-CONTROLLED MACHINE 5 lShee'ts-Shee'tv l1 lud mnventor March 2, 1943. `H. s. BENJAMIN I 2,312,793`

C0 IN-CONTROLLED MACHINE Filed oct. 4, 1940 5 shets-she'et s March 2, 1943. H. s. BENJAMIN COIN-CONTROLLED MACHINE Filed oct. 4, 194.0

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 attorneys ch 2, 1943. H. s. BENJAMIN 22,312,793

. COIN-CONTROLLED MACHINE I Filed Oct. 4, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .m mi

v Snventor: f@ /36/ 'QW 8B i /f/ Gttornegs Patented Mar. 2, 1943 UNITED vSTATES rATgNr ori-ica COIN-CONTRQLLED MACHINE Harry S. Benjamin, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Application October 4, 1940,`Serial No. 359,755

17 Claims.

This invention relates to coin-controlled ma- A chines.

One object of this invention is to provide a coin-controlled machine which permits the machine to be operated through a partial stroke or cycle when no coin has been placed in the machine, so as to enable the clearing of the machine of slugs, false coins, coins ofthe wrong denominations, etc.

Another object is to provide a coin-controlled machine wherein means is provided for permitting the operator to change his mind and get his coin back even after he has inserted the coin and operated the machine a predetermined part of an operating cycle.

Another object is to provide a machine as set forth in the last mentioned object, wherein means is provided for retaining the coin in the machine after the machine has been operated beyond the said predetermined part of the operating cycle.

Another object is to provide a coin-controlled machine wherein means is provided for preventing the operator from operating the machine rapidly enough to cause ejection of the merchandise before the coin can be dropped into the coin box, thereby preventing an extremely rapid operator from using the same coin to obtain tWo or more pieces of merchandise or to operate in a ma.

chine through two or more operating cycles.

Another object is to provide a coin-controlled machine wherein means is provided for preventing jamming or wedging of the coin in its operating position in the machine.

Another object is to provide a coin-controlled machine having means permitting only a partial A stroke or cycle of the machine followed by a return of the coin to the operator in the event that the coin-controlled mechanism is incapable of carrying out-the purpose for which the coin was inserted, as, for example, when the supply of -merchandise in a vending machineisfexhausted.

Another object is to provide a coin-controlled machine having means for forcibly ejecting the coin either into the coin return chute or into the ,l

`carried outby the motion of .a single operating ,member, thereby requiring the operator to manipulate only one member rather thanaplurality of such members as in certain prior art machines.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the coin-controlled machine of the invention, with the operating bar in its upper or starting position but with the coin deposited in its operating position initially.

Figure -2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear side elevation of the upper part of the machine shown in Figure l, partly broken away to disclose the coin-holding rollers.

Figure 4 is a side elevation similar to the upper part of Figure l but showing the position of the parts shortly after the operating cycle has been started.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the lower part of Figure 2, with the parts corresponding in position to the position of the parts in Figure fi, and at the same point in the operating cycle.

Figure 6 is a side elevation similar to Figures 1 and 4, but with the Working parts in the positions which they occupy at the end of the predetermined part of the working` cycle within which the operator may change his mind and'obtain the return of his coin.

, Figure 7 is a side elevation similar to the lower part of Figure 2 but with the working parts in' positions corresponding to the similar point in the operating cycle as Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a siderelevation similar ,to Figures 1, 4 and 6, but with the working parts at the end of the operating cycle andwith the coin falling downward into-the-coin box.

Figure 9 is-a front elevation similar to the lower part ofFigure 2 but with the Working parts rin the positions corresponding to the end of the operating cycle, as-in Figure 8.

Figure A10 is a side elevation similar to vFigure l but showing the operatingtparts in-position-on a return stroke where the operator has changed his mind `before completing a working stroke of the machine and is having his ycoin returned to him.

Figure 11 is a side elevation similar to Figure l but showing positions-of the working vparts while the machine is being operated without a coin for the partial working stroke permittedr Figure 13 is a Vertical section through the operating bar and its associated mechanism taken along the line |3-|3 in Figure 1.

Figure 14 is an approximately horizontal section at the level of the coin holding rollers, taken along the line |4-I4 in Figure 1.

Figure is a horizontal section taken along the line |5|5 in Figure 1.

General arrangement 10 In general, the coin-'controlled machine of the invention is intended for use with vending machines or other coin-operated machines intended to perform services or provide amusement for the operator. In the machine of the present invention, the coin is deposited ina position where it is supported by three rollersmounted ,on three separate levers. These rollers are operatively connected or related to an operating bar which iezset in motion when the. enereter'zturns. the operating knob or moves an operating member corresponding to the operating knob. 1;; g

The operating-bar isgprovided with various cams which actuatev the coin; roller levers in variousv ways. Aftera-coinehas `been `inserted and a partial operating cycle hasbeen accomplished, the operatormay-change his mind and get his coin back'if he releases V the operating knob or other operating member. In'that event, j3 the mechanism moves one v,or more of the coin holding rollersito permit the coin to'fallY into the coin return chute whereby it is returned to the operator. If, however, the operator continuesthe operating Cycle beyond this predetermined D9int.;=35 the mechanism lprevents ther return ofj the J f coin and carries out the complete operating cycle, thereby guiding the4 coin into the coingboxand .,ejectir 1g the -mechanism or performing the Aservice for, which the coin Vwas-deposited. In this@V event, oneof thecoin holdingrollers moves in 40 a different directionto guide vthe lcoingintothe coin box ratherthan'into the coin return chute, vas in the; partial `cycleY .whereI the` operator `mits a partial stroke or cycle when nocoin whatlever has been deposited therein. This enables the machine to be cleared `of slugs, falsecoins 50 or coins of the wrong denominations. ;g 1

Construction of 'coin-controlled mchine Referring to the"drawi`ngs 4"detail,*Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment o'fthe""coin-"con- A55 trolled machine of the inventionasconsist'ing of a frame 28 having a plate 2| lsecured-theretd'as by the ange portion 223and `screws 23. The plate 2| projects forwardly from the frarne28-and hasv secured thereto, as atl 24, a second -plate 25. 60 The two plates 2| and 25 are placed face to face with each other and are held closely together.

Secured'as at 26 to the plate 2| is a coin chute 21 aligned with a coin slot 28 in a coin window; 29m mounted in the front wall 30 of the machine.' 65 The-coin chute 21 isinclined downwardly and consistsjof a generally inclined portion 3| and averticalportion 32. Thevertical portion 32 terminates immediately aboveiaclosure member 3,3 secured as at 34 to the plate^s-2| and 25;jThe 70 closure member 33 is-spacedapart fronrthe plate 2|;by a space sufcient for the passage of a coin, andforthat purpose (Figure 3), itis provided with flanged front and rear walls 35 andu3|iVI respectively. The retaining member 33 is biiur- 70 cated in its lower parts, and is there provided with a coin retaining chute 31 near the front of the machine and a coin returning chute 38 at the rear thereof. The division between the two chutes 31 and 38 are made by means of the inclined anged inner walls 39 and 48 respectively, so that a coin which falls upon the inclined wall 39 is guideddownwardly into the coin box and is retained by the machine, whereas a coin falling upon the'inclined flange 48 is guided downwardly into the coin return chute 39 and is returned to the operator.

' The closure member 33 at its upper end is provided with a coin inlet port 4| (Figure 3) communicating with the lower end of the vertical portion 32 of the coin chute 21. For purposes vof. simplicity, the coin chute 21 is shown as leadvidedwithfsocalled coin-testing mechanism interposed between the coin chute 21 and the sublrseguer1`-t',mechanisnri.- whereby slugs, washers, `but tons, coins of `therwrong denominations, and

other ,improper checks or lcroins'are eliminated,

thus permitting only proper `coins or checks to pass intojthechamber Vi2 within the closure member 33. This coin testing mechanism is well known to those skilled in the art, and forms'no 0 part of the present invention.

AfterY passing downwardly through the passages 3|and 32 of the coin chute 21, the coin 43 comes to urest'upon va bottom coin-holding roller 44 andV against either the front coin-holding roller 45 or the rear coin-holding roller 45. The bottom, coin-holding roller 44 is rotatably mountedv upon a `pin 41 (Figures 3A and 14) mounted in the upper end of the bottom roller leverv 48. The latter at its upper end is provided with a projection 49 and at its mid-point is provided with a second projection 58 adjacent `the pivot pin 5| upon which the bottom roller levez- 48 is pivotally mounted and which in turn is mounted in the vertically reciprocable operating bar 52. The lower end of the bottom roller lever 48 is provided with a pin 53 to which is secured one Yend of a spring 54, the opposite end of which is 'secured to a pin 55 mounted near the lower end of the operating bar 52.

The rear coin-holding roller 46 is rotatably mounted upon a pin'51 mounted at the midportion of the rear roller lever 58, the lower end of which is pivotally mounted upon the pivot pin 59 secured to the plate 25 (Figures 1 and 3). The upper end of the lever 5S is provided with a head 68 carrying a projection or cam follower 6|' which engages the cam portion 62 of the lower operating bar cam 63. The cam 53 is fixedly secured to the operating bar 52 and serves to control the motion of the rear coin roller lever 58 as the operating bar 52 is moved downward by the operator or upward by a coil spring. 64 anchored as at y65 to the plate 25, and at its opposite end secured to the member attached as at61 to the lower end of the operating bar 52 (Figure 1). The cam follower portion 6| is urged against the cam portion 62 (Figure l) by means of the coil spring 68 secured as at 69 to the head 68 of the lever 58 and at its opposite end to the pin A1|] mounted on the operating bar 52. l

'I'he front vroller 45 (Figure 3) is rotatably mounted vupon a pin 1| which in turn is mounted at kthe lupper end of the front coin roller lever 12. The latteris in bell crankform, and is pivotally mounted upon the Divot Din 13 mounted `ating bar 52.

on thev.p1ate.25-;(-Figure'1). ,"The-upperfarm 14 of the front roller lever 12 carries an ear -15 `Vt Whichoneend of a spring 15 is attached, the

other end being lconnected to an ear 11 upon vthe front cam lever` -18. lThe lower arm 19 of tripping lever 83 (Figurel) 1 of vbell crankform mounted upon the pivot pin 84 secured vto the plate 25. The lower end of the tripping lever 83 is provided with an ear 85 to which one end of a spring 85 is secured, the opposite end being secured to a pin 81 mounted on the'opermounted near the lower end `of the plate (Figure 1) but permits the trip lever 84 toswing forwardly when the projection 50 engages the nose portion 82 of the tripping lever 83 on its downward stroke. On its upward stroke, however,l the upper edge of the projection 50 engages the lower edge of the nosev 82. Since the nose 82 is incapable of moving because of the stop pin 88, this engagementl swings the Y'bottom roller lever 48 forward so that its upper projection 49 engages the roller 8| of the front roller lever 12 and swings the latter rearwardly.

The bottom roller lever 48 is also adapted to be swung rearwardly by the engagement of the lower edge of its projection 50 with the pin 89 mounted on the plate. 25 when the operating bar 52 nears the lower end of itsworking stroke. Thus the forward swinging of the bottom roller lever 48 on the upward or return stroke of the operating bar 52 serves to drop the coin downward against the inclined flange or wall 40, whence it is deected into the coin return chute 38 and returned to the operator. On the other hand, the rearward swinging of the bottom roller lever 48 by the engagement of the lower projection 58 with the pin 89 permits the coin 43 to fall downward against the inclined flange or wall 39, whence itis deflected into the'coinretaining chute 31 and thereafter into the Vcoin Y box of the machine.

Also secured to the end 11 on the front cam lever 18 is one end of a spring 90, the opposite end of which is anchored vto Vthe pin 10 mounted on the operating bar 52. front cam lever 18 is pivotally mounted -upon the same pivot pin 13 which ypivotally .supports the front roller lever 12. YThe mid-portion of the front cam lever 18 is provided with a projection or cam follower 9| (FigureS) which engages the cam portion 92 upon the forward end of the cam 83 mounted on the operating bar 52. .Adjacent the cam follower 9| onthe front cam lever 18 is an adjustingscrew 93 carrying. a non-rotatable eccentric sleeve '.94 (Figurev l which is engagedby thev lower arm 95 of aV bell-crank lever 95 pivotally mounted-upon the pin 91 secured to the plate 25 and having its upper arm 98 engageable by a pin 99 mounted on the upper end of the operating bar 52. When the operating'bar 52 nears the lower end ofgits operating stroke, .but beyond the point where the operator may change his mind and have his coin returned, .the pin 99 (engages the upper: arm 98 and swings the lower arm 95of the bellxcrank The spring 86V normally urges. the vtripping lever 83 against a stop pin 88 The lower end of the lever 98 forwardly-against the sleeve94, swinging the front cam lever -18 forwardly and likewise permitting the front roller lever 12 to swing -forwardly under the influenceof the coil .spring 16. By loosening the adjusting screw 93,.the eccentricsleeve 94 may be rotated to a differ- V-ent position and then secured in this position by tightening the screw 93. This enablesthe motion of the front cam lever 18 to be properly synchronized with the operation of the remainder of the mechanism.

`The upper end of therfront cam lever 18 carries a stop pin |00 which is adapted to swing beneath the cross member |0| xedly secured to the operating bar 52 near its upper end. This arrangement halts the operating bar 52 at a predetermined position vwhen the machine is ati temptedly operated without a coin. The motion of `theroperating bar 52 as a Whole is guided Aand also limited by slots |02 and |03 near its opposite ends and serving toreceive pins |04 and mounted inthe upper and lower portions respectively of the plate 25. y

The plate 2| along its lower edge is provide with slightly bent, coin-deflecting portions |08 and |01 cooperating with the adjacent vportions of the closure member 33 to deflect the coin either into the coin return chute 38 or into the coin-retaining chute 31 as the case may be. The plates 2| and 25 are formed with elongated apertures or slots |08, |09 and ||0 for respectively permitting the motion of the coin-holding rollersr44, 45 and 48 as well as permitting the rollers to project therethrough into the chamber42 formed between the plate -2| and the closure member 33 (Figure 14).

Operating mechanism The operating bar 52 may be reciprocated .in ,any desired manner by any suitable operating vmember manipulated by the operator. For purposes of illustration, the machine asV shown is provided with actuating mechanism similar to that disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,010,911 to H. S. Benjamin, dated August 13, 1935, for a Vertical column vending machine. Reference is made to this patent for a vending rmachine to which rthe coin-controlled machine of the present invention may be attached for vending articles such as candy, gum, food, etc.

For this purpose a link (Figures l and 2) is provided with an ear H2 pivotally mounted upon the screw 51 in the lower end ofthe -operating bar 52. The link is slotted as at ||3 to receive alguide pin H4 mounted in the supporting plate H5. The supporting plate ||5 is secured as at H5 to the forward ange ||1 of the angle plate `||8 (Figure 1), -the rearward flange ||9 of which .is secured as at |20 to the frame or rear wall 20. The latter is provided with ahole l2! in which is journaled an operating shaft |22, the forward end of which is journaled in an aperture |23 in the front wall |24, and is provided with an operating knob |25 mounted thereon. The operating knob |25 is the external part which is grasped by the operator for operating the machine.

Mounted .on the operating shaft |22 is a cam |29 (Figure l) of roughly triangulaishape and arranged to engage a roller |21 mounted en a pin |28 carried by the lower end of the link lli. The latter i5 slotted as at |29 (Figure 2) in order for it to accommodate the operating `shaft |22. As a consequence, when the knob |25 is rotated, and with it ythe .cam !28, the

engagementV of then camiollbwe roller:v with Afthe cafn'fI 26' causes fthe flink'fgl ''and operating bar 52 to be drawn` downward. v1li/'hen the-knob ,|25 is released, however, the spring't assists in lretracting Vthe operating bar 52 and 'link it the same time,however`, theiknob |25 and -operating shaft |22 are returned to their original position by means of a spring |30 secured vat one end to the pin |3| mounted in the supgear and having ratchet teeth |36 extending only partially around its periphery. The ratchet teeth |36 (Figures 1 and 2) are engageable with a bell crank pawl |31 mounted on the pivot pin |38 secured to the supporting plate 5. One

- arm |39 of the bell crank pawl |31 is formed and positionedr to enga-ge the ratchet teeth |35` whereas the other arm|40 vis connected to one end of a spring |4|, the other end of which is anchored to the pin |42 mounted on the supporting plate H5.

In order to effect the vending of the merchandise, the shaft |22 is provided with an additional cam |43 mounted thereon and engageable with rollers |44 mounted on pins |45 lwhich in turn are secured to the vending member |46. The latter is slotted as at |41 to accommodate the shaft |22 and at its lower end is provided with a pin |48 to which is secured a spring |49 having its opposite end anch'ored to fthe pin |58 mounted on the frame'or rear 'wall20. The spring |49 constantly urges the rollers |44 againstrthe periphery of the cam |43. The vending member |46 extends upward into the interior of the machine and performs the service for which the operator deposited his coin. In particular, if the machine isa vending machine, the vending member |46 operates a releasing device which releases the article of merchandise, as more fully disclosed in the previously mentioned Benjamin Patent No. 2,010,911Vof August 13, 1935. The particular form of this vending mechanism forms no part of the present invention.

Finally, the operating shaft |22 is provided with a disk |5| having a stop projection |52 thereon engageable with the lower end of an arm |53. The latter is pivotally mounted upon.

a pin |54 carried by a horizontally reciprocable plate |55 having a stop pin |56 secured thereto (Figure 2). The plate |55 is provided with slots |51 for receiving guide pins |58 mounted in the supporting plate |59. The reciprocable plate |55 is connected to the merchandise vending mechanism in such a manner as to be reciprocated to the right when the supply of merchandise has been exhausted in one of the merchandise compartments. When this occurs, the end of the arm |53 is moved into the path of the projection |52 upon the disk |51 and prevents the rotation of the knob 25. lin this manner the operator is prevented from operating the machine beyond a certain point when the merchandise has been exhausted. At the same time, howeventhe machine may be operated to a suiiicient point to enable the return of the coin when the knob |25is released.

Operation 'Lpasses downward through the coin chute 21 Vthr'oug'l:1" the port 4| and past" suitable fraudtestingmechanism' (not shown), halting when it f alls upon two of the three rollers 44, '45 and 46 (Figure 3). At thispoint the various parts occupy the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The operator now rotates the knob |25 and as a Aconsequence draws down the operating bar 52. As the bar 52 and its cam 63 move downward, the projections 6| and 9| on the levers 58 and 18 move inwardly over the top of the cam` 63,

*permitting the coin-holding rollers 45 and 46 to while, the lever 48 vcarrying the bottom coin-holding roller 44 has been maintained upright by the 'engagement of the pin 53 with the guide'edge 25a of the plate 25 (Figure 3) while moving downward with the operating bar 52. 'Ihis permits the front and rear rollers 45 and 45 to move over the top half of the center of the coin, thereby holding the coin in suspense but with sufficient pressure 'of rollers 45 and 45 to press the coin downward on further movement of the bar 52. As the bar 52 moves downward, the projection 50 upon the bottom roller lever 48 engages the nose 82 of the tripping lever 83, pushes it aside, and passes beneath it with a click as the tripping lever 83 returns to its original position. The working parts now occupy the positions shown in Figures 4 and 5.

-Thus far the operator can still change his mind and have his coin returned by merely releasing the knob |25, whereuponthe springs |38 and 64 return the parts to their original positions of Figures 1 and'2. 1n the meantime, however, the operating bar 52 moves upward (Figure 10) and the projection 58011 the bottom roller' lever 48 tripping lever 83. Since the latter cannot swing,

` due to the presence of the stop pin 88, the lever 48 yitself is swung toward the front vof the machine' (Figure 10) and its projection 49 engages the roller 8| on the lower arm 13 of the front roller lever 12, swinging the front coin-holding roller 45 rearwardly as the bottom coin-holding roller '44 moves downwardly. This produces a hammer blow on the coin, thus positively dislodging it and preventing it from becoming wedged between the rollers 44, 45 and 46 during the rapid return of the operating bar 52 by the springs 64 and |38. At the same time, the rear roller lever 58 and the rear coin-holding roller 46 are moved rearwardly by the' engagement of the projection 6| thereof with the'cam 63' (Figure 10). The coin 43, accordingly, drops through the gap between the oppositely moving coin-holding rollers 44 and 46 and is deflected by the iiange 40 into the coin returning chute38, whence it is returned to the operator. The latter may then insert the coin in the coin chute corresponding to another kind of merchandise.

Let it be assumed, however, that the operator is satisfied with his choice, and rotates the knob |25 as far as it will go. When the shaft |22 has rotated the quadrant ratchet |35 to the point where the pawl arm |39 engages betweenY the teeth |36 of the ratchet |35 (Figure 9), or just beyond the end of the mind-changing part of the cycle shown in Figures 6 and '1, the pawl |31 will prevent the. return motion 'of the knob |25 the fixed pin 89 and swings the lever 48 Vand the bottom coin-holding roller 44 rearward, opening a gap between it and the forward coin-holding roller 45 through which the coin 43 drops downward into the coin retaining chute 31 and thence into the coin box of the machine. The front coin-holding roller 45 is permitted to move forward when the lever 'I8 is forcibly moved forward by the engagement of the pin 9,9 with the upper arm 98 of the bell crank lever 95, the lower arm 95 of which (Figure 1) engages the sleeve 94 and forces the lever 98 lforward as the operating bar 52 approaches the end of its working stroke. This still further widens the gap between the bottom roller 44 and the front roller 45.

While this is occurring, the rotation of the operating shaft |22 rotates the cam |43 (Figure 1) and pulls down the vending member |46, releasing an article of merchandise in the manner set forth in the previously mentioned Benjamin Patent No. 2,010,911 of August 1-3, 1935. The article thus vended drops down through the vending chute and is withdrawn by the operator. By this time the pawl arm |39 has passed over all of the teeth |36 of the quadrant ratchet |35.

When the knob |25 is released, therefore, the spring |38 acting on the disk |33 rotates theoperating shaft |22 and knob |25 backward to their starting positions, while the pawl arm |39 clicks over the ratchet teeth V|35 until the ratchet |35 reaches its starting position (Figure 2). Meanwhile, the upward motion of the cam B3 on the operating bar 52 forces the levers 58 and 18 apart and causes the front and rear rollers 45 and 45 to move apart from each other, ready for the reception of another coin.

In case the knob |25 is rotated without the depositing of a coin in the coin chute 3|, the machine operates through a part ofthe operating cycle in the manner previously described. This partial operation enables the machine to be cleared of slugs, buttons, washers or other undesirable articles. As the operating bar 52 moves downward, the projection 8| on the lever 18 moves over the top of the cam 63 and permits the lever 18 to move rearward, causing the pin on the end thereof to move beneath the cross member |0| on the operating bar 52 (Figure 11.). This action effectively halts the downward motion of the operating bar 52 in the position shown in Figure 1l, and accordinglyprevents the rotation of the knob |25 to a position where it will vend merchandise.

While I have .shown and described my invention in detail, it is to be understood that the same is to be limited only by the appended claimsl for many changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. In a coin-controlled machine, a movable operating member, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereon, said levers being operable by the movable operating member, means for guiding a coin into position with respect to said coin-holding members, a coinreturning passageway, and means on the operating member for actuating said levers upon the partial completion of a return stroke of said operating member after the completion of apartial forward stroke of said operating member of less than a predetermined distance for releasing said coin from said coin-holding members and directing said coin into said coin-returning passageway whereby to enable Vthe operator to change his Vmind and-recover-his coin after opercontrolled -by the movable operating member,

means for guiding a coin into position l with respect tosaid coin-holding members, a coin .returninepassageway, and means. erigageable 1113011 a reversal of stroke of said Voperating member after the completion of aupartial forward stroke of said operating niemberof less than a prede# termined distance for moving one of said levers to direct said coinintovsaid coin-returning passageway whereby to Aenable the operator to change his mind and recover-his coin after operating the machine through a partial forward stroke. I Y Y 3. In a coin-controlled .machine a movable `operating member, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereon, said lever being controlled by the movable operating member, means for guiding "a coin into position with respect to said coin-holding members, a kcoin returning passageway, a coin-retainingV passageway, and means responsiveto fa partial stroke of said operating member for moving one of said levers to directsaid coin into said coin-returning passageway and responsive tothe completion of astroke greater than s aid partial stroke for moving another one of saidlevers to direct said coin into said coin-retaining passageway.

4. In a coin-controlled machine, a movable operating member, a plurality of Vlevers having ,coin-holding members thereon, said lever being operable by the movable member, vmeans for guiding a coin into position against adjacent said coin-holding members, a coin returning passageway, a coin-retaining passageway, and means responsive to the completion 'of a predetermined partial stroke of said operating member for moving one of said levers to direct said coin into said coin-returning passageway and responsive to the completion of a stroke exceeding said predetermined stroke for additionally moving said last mentioned lever to direct'said coin into said coinretaining passageway.

5. In a coin-controlled machine, `a movable operating member, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereon, said levers being operable upon movement of the .operating member, means for guiding a coin into position adjacent said coin-holding members, a coin-returning passageway, a coin-retaining passageway. and means responsive to the4 completion of a predetermined partial stroke of said operating member for moving one of said levers to direct said coin into said vcoin-returning passageway and responsive to the completion of a stroke exceeding said predetermined partial stroke for moving said last mentioned lever in a different direction to direct said coin into said coin-retaining passageway.

6. In a coin-controlled machine, a `movable operating member, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereon, said levers being operable by the movable operating member, one of said levers being mounted on and movable with said operating member the other levers acting to retain a coin, a coin returning passageway, and means responsive to apredetermined part ofthe stroke of said operating member for separating the retaining levers and moving .the lever carried by the operating member todirect Athe coin into said coin-'returning passageway.

7. In a coin-controlled machine, a vmovable operating member, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereon, said levers being operable by movement of the operating member, certain levers acting to retain a coin below a coin slot, another of said levers being mounted on and movable with said operating member, a coin retaining passageway, and means responsive to the exceeding of a predetermined stroke for releasing the retaining levers and for moving the lever carried by the operating member to direct the coin into said coin-retaining passageway.

8. In a coin-controlled machine, a movable operating member, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereon, said levers being operable upon movement of the operating member, certain of said levers acting to retain a coin below a coin slot and one of said levers being mounted on and movable withl said operating member, a coin-returning passageway, a coinretaining passageway, and means responsive to a predetermined partial stroke of said operating member for moving the lever carried by the operating member to direct the coin into said coinreturning passageway and responsive to the exceeding of said predetermined partial stroke for differentially moving said member-carried lever to direct the coin into said coin-retaining passageway.

9. In a coin-controlled machine, a movable operating member, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereon, said levers being operable upon movement of the operating member one of said levers being mounted on and movable with said operating member, a coinreturning passageway, a coin-retaining passageway, means responsive to less than a predetermined stroke of said operating member for moving the lever carried thereby to direct the coin into said coin-returning passageway and responsive to the exceeding of said predetermined stroke for differentially moving said membercarried lever to direct the coin into said coinretaining passageway, and means responsive to the motion of said operating member for moving the other levers to retain the coin-holding members in position between the passageways.

10. In a coin-controlled machine, a movable operating member, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereomsaid levers being operable upon movement of the operating member, one of said levers being mounted on and movable with said operating member to shift a coin in one of its two movable directions, and means responsive to the motion of said operating member for moving the other levers sequentially to position the coin for movementin one of said two directions and to maintain their coin-holding members in engagement with the coin whereby said sequential movement prevents wedging'or jamming of the coin in the machine prior to the to forcibly eject the coin from the coin-holding members thereof into said passageway. ,A

l2. In a coin-controlled machine, a movable operating member, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereon, said levers being machine for locking said operating memberl against motion beyond a predetermined stroke.l

13. In a coin-controlled machine, a movable operating member, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereon, said levers being actuated by the operating member one of said levers being mounted on and movable with said operating member, the remaining levers acting to retain a coin in a coin chute, means operatively connected to said operating member and responsive to the completion of a working stroke thereof for causing the operation of the coin controlled machine, means responsive in the absence of articles in the coin controlled machine for locking said operating member against motion beyond a predetermined stroke, a coin-returning passageway, and means responsive to the motion of said operating member through said predetermined stroke for moving one of said levers to release said coin into said coin-returning passageway.

14. In a coin-controlled machine having a retaining passageway and a return passageway, a movable operating member, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereon, said levers being actuated by the operating member, one of said levers being mounted on and movable with said operating member, the other levers acting to retain a coin in a coin chute, means responsive to the motion of said operating member for moving the other levers to maintain their coin-holding members in engagement with the coin, means responsive to movement of the operating member for selectively moving the lever carried thereby, and means responsive to a return stroke of said operating member for forcibly :and rapidly moving one of said coin retainer levers whereby to forcibly eject the coin from the coin-holding members of said levers into one of said passageways after the lever moving with the operating member has moved to selectively determine the desired passageway.

15. In a coin-controlled machine, a movable operating member, `switching mechanism operatively connected to said operating member and operatively responsive to the motion of said operating member through a predetermined stroke for vperforming said switching operation, a plurality -v switching stroke, and means for moving one of said levers to release said coin into said coinretaining passageway prior to the completion of said predetermined switching stroke of said operating memberwhereby to insure retention of the coin by the machine before permitting the operation of the machine.

16. In a coin-controlled machine, a movable operating member, switching mechanism operatively connected to said operating member and operatively responsive to the motion of said operating member through a predetermined stroke for performing said switching operation, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereon, said levers being controlled by the movable operating member, means for guiding a coin into position with respect to said coin-holding members, a coin-retaining passageway, and means for moving one of said levers to release said coin prior to the completion of said predetermined switching stroke of said operating member and to direct said coin into said coin-retaining passageway whereby to insure retention of the coin by the machine before permitting the switching operation of the machine.

17. In a coin-controlled machine, a movable operating member, a plurality of levers having coin-holding members thereon, said levers being controlled by the movable operating member, means for guiding .a coin into position adjacent said coin holding members, a coin return passageway and a coin retaining passageway on opposite sides of said guiding means, one of said levers being mounted on .and movable with said operating member to switch a coin toward one of said passageways, and means responsive to the motion of said operating member for moving the other levers prior to the movement of the lever mounted upon the operating member to maintain their coin-holding members in engagement with a coin whereby the retention of said coin will be insured until the lever mounted on the operating rod has been moved toward one of said passageways.

HARRY s. BENJAMIN. 

